Animals Causing Car Accidents

Everyone loves animals. But nobody wants to get in an accident because of them. Animals can cause accidents in many different ways, from wildlife running in front of your car, to pets or livestock running loose, to other drivers being preoccupied with their dog in their own car. If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident due to an animal, we at Agruss Law Firm are here for you every step of the way to ensure that your rights are protected, and you are fully compensated for your injuries and losses.

Deer and Wildlife

Wildlife accidents are a top cause for accidents in Illinois. Deer and other wildlife are active mostly at dawn and dusk, some of the busiest times on Illinois roadways. Deer in particular are highly active October through December during mating season, and May through June during birthing season. In 2016, there were 14,759 auto accidents involving deer, with 581 of these accidents involving personal injury, and five being fatal.

Unattended Livestock

Farmers in Illinois are not allowed to have their livestock running at large. The Illinois Domestic Animals Running At Large Act states:

(510 ILCS 55/1) (from Ch. 8, para. 1)

Sec. 1. No person or owner of livestock shall allow livestock to run at large in the State of Illinois. All owners of livestock shall provide the necessary restraints to prevent such livestock from so running at large and shall be liable in civil action for all damages occasioned by such animals running at large.

Provided, that no owner or keeper of such animals shall be liable for damages in any civil suit for injury to the person or property of another caused by the running at large thereof, without the knowledge of such owner or keeper, when such owner or keeper can establish that he used reasonable care in restraining such animals from so running at large.

Livestock owners are given 24 hours to get their animals back under control, and failure to do so is a Class C misdemeanor. If you or a loved one was injured in an accident due to livestock running loose, contact Agruss Law Firm to determine what damages you may be entitled to.

Dogs

Dog laws regarding dogs running at-large in Illinois vary by municipality. However, if you were involved in an accident where a dog has escaped from their property and is running at large, contact Agruss Law Firm. We will determine what the specifics are of your case and who is liable for damages you may have sustained.

Many people love to take their dogs with them when traveling. Sometimes these dogs are in the passenger’s seat, sitting in the driver’s lap, hanging out of the window, or bounding around in the car without restraint. AAA found in a recent study that 1/3 of drivers have been distracted by their dogs while driving, and while most motorists understand that it is safer to have their dog restrained, less than 20% of drivers use any sort of restraint for their dog while driving. If you or a loved one was involved in an accident that involved a pet owner and distracted driving, you need an experienced attorney to help you with your claim.

Although not all animal-related accidents can be completely prevented, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk. These include:

Use caution around wooded areas, farm areas, and residential neighborhoods-These are all areas where there is potential for animals of all types to be located. Look for glowing eyes while driving, as animal eyes will reflect in headlights.

Slow down-Give yourself time to stop in the event that an animal runs in front of your vehicle. Remember, deer like to travel in groups, so if you see one, there may be others. If you see someone driving with their pet in their car, create a buffer zone between your car and theirs and do not tailgate.

Use your horn-If you come across an animal in the roadway while you’re driving and you can slow down safely, use your horn and flashing lights to alert and “chase” the animal to the side of the road.

Do not swerve-Nobody wants to hit an animal, but there are times when it is inevitable. Swerving into oncoming traffic will make the accident worse.

We at Agruss Law Firm are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, especially when you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident due to animals, contact Agruss Law Firm, LLC for a free consultation. Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people and not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, and your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you. Lastly, Agruss Law Firm, LLC is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.

The information on this Web site is for general purposes only and should not be interpreted to indicate a certain result will occur in your specific legal situation. Information on this Web site is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.